ATAR For Nursing: What ATAR Do You Need For Nursing?

A Team Tuition|11/07/2020|,

Across Australia, the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is the standard to measure one student’s academic achievement in relation to that of their peers. Year 12 students and parents alike will need to learn how to navigate this new ranking criteria and do what they can to prepare for admission to their desired post-secondary program. The most direct way to become a nurse is to complete a Bachelor of Nursing degree and universities across Australia have a fairly wide range of schools and degree options available in this field. As most of these programs do require an ATAR for entry, students will need to do their research to find out the exact ATAR for nursing at each school.  

What ATAR is Needed for Nursing?

Graduate Nurse Smiling at Camera after Graduation

As there are many universities offering Bachelor of Nursing degree programs, the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) varies depending on the school and the number of students who apply to each program each year. However, recently the range was between the high 50s to the mid-90s. 

To be eligible for most Bachelor of Nursing programs you will need a high school certificate with the applicable subjects (normally English and at least one grade 12 science course), and the required ATAR for nursing at the school you are applying to. Additionally, many schools will have additional selection criteria such as a current First Aid and CPR certificate, a police check, a working with children Blue Card, up-to-date vaccinations, and perhaps an interview process. 

As a general guideline, the following provides details on what ATAR for nursing your child will need to aim for, for various Nursing Programs across Queensland, New South Whales, and Victoria. 

Are you concerned that your child won’t be able to meet the academic requirements they need to become a nurse? 

A Team Tuition Can Help

What is the Required ATAR for Nursing at Universities?

(UPDATED 2022)

Queensland Universities

University of Queensland

The Bachelor of Nursing program at UQ is a 3-year program which includes practical experience starting in your first semester, so students can gain experience in clinical settings right from the get go.

Requirements: 

  • Queensland Year 12 (or equivalent) General English subject (Units 3 & 4, C); and one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics (Units 3 & 4, C)
  • ATAR 84.8 (IB 31) 

Nursing Griffith University

Ranked number one in Queensland for nursing and as one of the country’s leading research universities, Griffith offers a Bachelor of Nursing program at their Logan, Nathan and Gold Coast campuses. 

Requirements: 

  • Gold Coast – ATAR 86
  • Nathan – ATAR 86
  • Logan – ATAR 81

Queensland University of Technology

QUT School of Nursing is one of the largest and most established centres in Australia, with more than 40 years of industry consultation and experience. The Bachelor of Nursing is 3 years full-time.  

Requirements: 

  • English, or Literature, or English and Literature Extension, or English as an Additional Language (Units 3 & 4, C)
  • ATAR 86 

QUT also offers guaranteed placement if you achieve an ATAR/selection rank of 93.00 or higher (including any adjustments) and meet all of the other admission requirements.

Bachelor of Nursing Science– James Cook University

JCU Nursing and Midwifery is a leader in regional, rural and tropical healthcare sciences. They offer a Bachelor of Nursing Science online, and at their campuses in Townsville, Cairns, Mackay, and Mount Isa. 

Requirements: 

  • ATAR 66.45
  • English (Units 3/4,C)
  • Reccomended Knowledge: Biology, Chemistry and one of General Maths, Mathematical Methods, or Specialists Maths (Units 3/4,C)

JCU also offers a combined Bachelor of Nursing Science/ Bachelor of Midwifery degree at their Townsville location and requires an ATAR of 83.65. 

Melbourne Universities

Australian Catholic University 

At Australian Catholic University (ACU), students can choose between a standard 3-year nursing degree or a dual degree that combines business management with nursing. 

Requirements: 

Deakin University 

Deakin University in Melbourne Burwood offers five nursing degree programs with ATARs ranging from 72 – 92 and offers a standalone 3-year nursing degree as well as dual degree options. 

Requirements: 

Holmesglen 

This school has one of the most attainable ATAR for nursing requirements for their Bachelor of Nursing Program. 

Requirements: 

  • ATAR 50 
  • Units 1 and 2: satisfactory completion in one of General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics, or Units 3 and 4: any Mathematics
  • Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in any English

Monash University 

Monash University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery ranks at number 3 for top Australian nursing schools, according to QS Top Universities Rankings 2020. 

Requirements: 

  • Bachelor of Nursing – 3 Year Program 
    • Peninsula Campus: ATAR 72.2 with a Range of criteria (RC) that will also be used for selection into the course in addition to ATAR.
    • Clayton Campus: ATAR 77.15 with a Range of criteria (RC) that will also be used for selection into the course in addition to ATAR.
  • Bachelor of Nursing/ Bachelor of Midwifery – 4-year program
    • Peninsula Campus – ATAR 91 with a Range of criteria (RC) that will also be used for selection into the course in addition to ATAR.

Sydney Universities

Australian Catholic University

Australian Catholic University (ACU) in North Sydney offers both a standard 3-year nursing degree as well as a combined degree that will combine business management with nursing. 

Requirements: 

University of Technology Sydney 

Students looking to study a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Technology in Sydney (UTS) will be learning from some of the best. 

Requirements:

  • ATAR 78 for full time studies 
  • ATAR 87.02 for part time studies
  • ATAR for nursing is 78 for full time entry and 87.02 for part time studies.

University of Sydney

Ranked first in Australia and fourth in the world for graduate employability (based on the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020), nursing students will have their choice of 3 different nursing study paths at the University of Sydney.  

How to achieve the ATAR for Nursing 

High school graduates will need Year 12 or equivalent English as well as one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics for most nursing programs. If your child needs a little extra help meeting their academic goals, A Team Tuition can assist. Employing some of the most elite tutors in Australia, we know just the right way to inspire and help children to meet their goals.

With communication being a key component to a successful career in nursing, achieving a high mark in English will definitely be advantageous when applying to universities. Likewise, biology and chemistry are the most relevant sciences to the field of nursing so it is beneficial for aspiring nursing students to aim for top grades in these two areas of study as well. If your child is aiming for an A in English, Biology or Chemistry and needs an extra boost of confidence or a little additional help getting motivated, our team can work with your family to create a customised program perfectly suited to your child. Achieving the best grades possible in these key subjects will help your child have the highest chance at acquiring the ATAR they need to pursue post-secondary studies in Nursing.

How to get into Nursing without an ATAR

To become a Registered Nurse (RN), you typically need to complete a Bachelor of Nursing degree or equivalent – and to do so, you must achieve the required ATAR for nursing for the university you choose to go to. However, many universities offer options for getting into nursing without having an ATAR and instead allow the required prerequisites to be met via bridging courses or bridging programs.

Nursing hopefuls can also choose to register to become an Enrolled Nurse (EN) which is typically an 18-month diploma course. Enrolled nurses usually work under the supervision of an RN and also undertake clinical placements in a variety of healthcare settings. Often studying to become an enrolled nurse can be a pathway option to becoming an RN.

However, If your child’s goal is to go straight into an RN program, they will need to achieve the required ATAR score for nursing – and our team of high school tutors can help. By teaching strategies for motivation, time management and problem solving, your child will find increased confidence, reduced stress and anxiety, and be well on their way to achieving top grades.

Additional qualifications required to become a Nurse

As being a nurse requires working with the public, having good communication skills, excellent interpersonal skills, respect for patient safety and confidentiality, and a high regard for professional ethics are critical. Therefore, in addition to having the right ATAR score for nursing, most universities require many of the following – particularly before any clinical work is allowed to take place:

  • A working with children check or blue card 
  • A national criminal history check
  • Up to date vaccination requirements
  • A current Senior First Aid certificate
  • A current CPR certificate
  • Completion of cultural sensitivity training to be able to provide culturally safe care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients
  • A medical questionnaire

If your child would benefit from additional outside support, A Team Tuition can help. With the right mindset and strategies in place, they’ll be looking at a bright career in nursing ahead.

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